Assessing the Impact of Acute Aerobic Exercise on Cognitive Performance

Abstract

Many studies have demonstrated the benefits of aerobic exercise, such as improved metabolism, strengthened muscle groups, enhanced physical fitness, and potential anti-aging effects. Additionally, research has suggested that aerobic exercise may have a positive impact on mood regulation and the alleviation of negative emotions. This study employs eye tracking as a measurement tool to investigate the influence of acute aerobic exercise on cognitive performance. Participants were randomly assigned to exercise and non-exercise groups. Those in the exercise group engaged in a five-minute session of acute aerobic exercise, followed by a return to normal heart rates. Subsequently, exercise and non-exercise group participants completed reading comprehension tasks, during which an eye tracker tracked their eye movements. According to the eye-tracking results, acute aerobic exercise did not significantly improve participants’ cognitive task performance.Meanwhile, it was found that short time and high-intensity exercise negatively affected attentional shifting during the tasks. Participants in the exercise group exhibited delayed attentional transfer. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by shedding light on the intricate relationship between acute aerobic exercise and cognitive performance. The findings offer recommendations for brief exercise breaks during work or study. Moreover, it is a valuable resource for researchers by offering new insights and methodologies for future investigations.